1. MeitY Unveils India AI Governance Guidelines

On 5th November 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the IndiaAI Mission, unveiled the India AI Governance Guidelines — a comprehensive framework to ensure safe, inclusive, and responsible AI adoption across sectors.

Key Points

• Framework Components: The framework includes seven guiding principles (Sutras) for ethical and responsible AI, key recommendations across six pillars of AI governance, an action plan mapped to short, medium, and long-term timelines, and practical implementation guidelines for developers, industry, and regulators.
• Committee Leadership: The framework was drafted by a high-level committee chaired by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran (IIT Madras) and included experts from MeitY, NITI Aayog, Microsoft Research India, Trilegal, and iSPIRT Foundation.
• Inclusive Process: CEO of IndiaAI, stated that the draft underwent public consultation, with extensive cross-sector feedback shaping the final version to ensure AI remains accessible, affordable, and trustworthy.
• Global Collaboration: The guidelines aim to serve as a reference framework for policymakers, researchers, and industry worldwide, fostering cooperation for safe, responsible, and inclusive AI adoption.
• IndiaAI Hackathon Winners: Alongside the launch, winners of the IndiaAI Hackathon for Mineral Targeting, held with the Geological Survey of India (GSI), were announced.

2. Maharashtra Partners with Starlink for Satellite Internet

On 5th November 2025, Maharashtra became the first Indian state to sign a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink to expand satellite-based high-speed internet services to rural and remote regions under the Digital Maharashtra mission.

• The Maharashtra government signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited to boost connectivity in underserved districts such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Dharashiv and Washim.
• The collaboration aims to deploy satellite internet across government institutions and public infrastructure, enhancing access to education, healthcare and e-governance.
• Starlink’s commercial launch in India is expected by early 2026, marking its official entry into the country’s broadband market.

3. Amul, IFFCO Top Global Cooperative Rankings

In November 2025, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF), the owner of Amul, and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO) secured the top two positions in the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) World Cooperative Monitor 2025 global rankings based on GDP per capita performance.

• GCMMF, popularly known for its Amul brand, ranked first among global cooperatives, marking a major milestone for India’s cooperative sector.
• Entirely owned by farmers, GCMMF operates through a three-tier system comprising over 18,600 village-level dairy cooperatives and around 36 lakh milk producers.
• The cooperative’s structure empowers rural farmers and ensures equitable distribution of profits across the network, strengthening India’s dairy economy.
• IFFCO, ranked second globally, has been recognised for its massive economic and social contribution to India’s agricultural landscape.
• Established in 1967, IFFCO is one of the world’s largest fertiliser cooperatives, serving over 50 million Indian farmers through 35,000-member cooperatives.

4. NISAR Satellite to Become Operational

On 5th November 2025, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that the NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite — the most expensive Earth observation satellite ever built — will be declared operational on 7th November 2025.

Key Points

• Satellite Overview: The 2,400 kg NISAR satellite was launched on 30^th July, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, aboard the GSLV-F16 rocket. It is jointly developed by NASA and ISRO to enhance Earth observation capabilities.
• Operational Status: Data calibration has been successfully completed, and the satellite will be officially declared operational during the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC).
• Dual Radar System: NISAR is the first satellite to carry two Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems — the L-Band and S-Band sensors.
  • L-Band Radar: Can penetrate forest canopies to measure soil moisture, forest biomass, and the motion of land and ice surfaces.
  • S-Band Radar: More sensitive to small vegetation, useful for studying agriculture, grassland ecosystems, and snow moisture.
• Global Coverage: The satellite can monitor most of the Earth’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days, providing high-quality data under all-weather and day-night conditions.
• Scientific Significance: The mission will play a vital role in studying climate change, land deformation, and natural disasters, offering critical insights for sustainable Earth management.

5. Indian Navy Commissions INS Ikshak in Kochi

On 6th November 2025, the Indian Navy formally commissioned its hydrographic survey vessel INS Ikshak into service at the Naval Base in Kochi, marking another milestone in India’s growing maritime capabilities and self-reliance in shipbuilding.

• INS Ikshak is the third vessel in the series of four Survey Vessel (Large) class ships and is the first among them to be based at the Southern Naval Command, which serves as the Navy’s training command and a key hub for maritime operations.
• Developed under the Make in India initiative, the vessel stands as a testament to India’s advancing indigenous shipbuilding capabilities, reflecting the nation’s increasing self-reliance in defence manufacturing and maritime infrastructure.
• The name ‘Ikshak’, meaning ‘Guide’ in Sanskrit, aptly symbolizes the ship’s mission and purpose — to guide and ensure safe navigation by conducting high-precision hydrographic surveys that are critical for maritime safety and route planning.

6. Peru Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Mexico

On 4th November 2025, Peru announced the severance of diplomatic ties with Mexico following Mexico’s decision to grant asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who faces charges related to the 2022 coup attempt led by former President Pedro Castillo.

Key Points

• Reason for Diplomatic Break: Peru’s Foreign Minister described Mexico’s action as an unfriendly act, accusing Mexican leaders of repeated interference in Peru’s internal affairs.
• Background: The ties between Peru and Mexico have been strained since December 2022, when former President Pedro Castillo was ousted and arrested following his failed attempt to dissolve Congress.
• Asylum Controversy: Former Prime Minister, accused of co-authoring the coup attempt, denies any involvement. Her asylum in Mexico further deepened the diplomatic rift.